Franklin College sophomore Ella Mitchell was honored with the Independent Colleges of Indiana’s (ICI) “Realizing the Dream” scholarship. Mitchell was one of 28 college students receiving the award.

The award recipients were recognized with the “Realizing the Dream” scholarship at a reception and awards dinner in February at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis. Along with recognition at this event, each award winner received $5,000 to assist with the costs associated with attending college.

The scholarship is made possible through a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to ICI. The “Realizing the Dream” program honors one student from each ICI member institution who are the first in their families to attend college.

Mitchell’s academic achievements during her first year at the College were a factor in her nomination for the award by Franklin College. She is a multimedia journalism and Spanish major with an art minor. She is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, serving as the chapter’s Vice President of Inclusion. She also serves as the Vice President of the Latinx Student Association.

“The Realizing the Dream Scholarship has provided me with a sense of financial security that allows me to pursue my education and embrace my college experience with greater peace of mind,” said Mitchell. “I am deeply grateful for the recognition of my academic achievements and for the reassurance that the dedication and effort I have invested in my studies has not gone unnoticed. This award has not only shown me generous support but has also been a strong source of encouragement that inspires me to continue working toward my goals.”

The “Realizing the Dream” program also provides a $1,000 professional development grant to the teacher whose guidance, encouragement and belief in the student helped make attending college possible. Mitchell chose Kat Sarles who teaches history at Franklin Community High School.

“Ms. Sarles was undoubtedly the first person who came to mind when I thought about who I wanted to honor with this grant,” noted Mitchell. “In high school, I always looked forward to her class, whether it was World History or U.S. Government. I admired how she turned her love for history and traveling the world into a career and taught from such a knowledgeable, real-world perspective. Because of her influence, Ms. Sarles inspired me to do the same. Before college, I struggled to figure out what I wanted to pursue as a career, but thinking back to her class reminded me that it’s possible to turn passion into purpose, inspiring me to turn my own passion for creativity into a career path.”

Mitchell is a resident of Franklin.

ICI serves as the collective voice for excellence and choice in higher education for all students. As a non-profit association, it represents Indiana’s 28 private, nonprofit, regionally accredited colleges and universities.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.